Quality Control & Process Improvement Flashcards
7 cards from real CET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Quality Control & Process Improvement flashcards as text
Which statistical tool plots data points in time sequence to identify trends or shifts in an echocardiography lab's measurement process?
Answer: Run chart
A run chart displays data in chronological order, making it effective for detecting trends, shifts, or cycles in a process over time.
In echocardiography QC, a 'sentinel event' most accurately refers to:
Answer: An unexpected event resulting in serious patient harm or death
A sentinel event is an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, requiring immediate investigation and response.
When performing a phantom study to evaluate axial resolution, the technician should measure the minimum separation distance at which two targets appear as:
Answer: Two distinct, separate reflectors
Axial resolution is defined as the ability to distinguish two reflectors as separate entities along the beam axis; they must appear as distinct points.
A lab notices its mean left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) readings are consistently 5% higher than the reference lab's values. This best represents:
Answer: Systematic bias
A consistent directional offset from a reference standard across many measurements indicates systematic bias rather than random error.
Which of the following is the PRIMARY purpose of a laboratory accreditation survey by IAC (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission)?
Answer: To ensure labs meet standardized quality and safety benchmarks
IAC accreditation verifies that echocardiography laboratories meet established standards for personnel qualifications, equipment, and study quality.
During PDSA cycle implementation in an echo lab, the 'Study' phase primarily involves:
Answer: Analyzing data collected during the 'Do' phase to assess results
The Study phase of the PDSA cycle involves comparing the results of the pilot change against predictions to determine if the intervention worked.
When evaluating Doppler spectral quality in a QC audit, which finding would most likely be flagged as suboptimal?
Answer: Faint, poorly defined spectral signal with significant background noise
A faint, noisy spectral Doppler signal indicates inadequate optimization of gain, filter settings, or sample volume placement, compromising velocity accuracy.